Max Verstappen Wins Nürburgring GT3 Debut by Over 20 Seconds

Max Verstappen made a stunning GT3 debut at the Nürburgring Langstrecken Series, driving a Ferrari 296 GT3 and securing a commanding victory alongside teammate Chris Lulham. Despite qualifying third after a delayed session caused by fog and traffic on his fastest lap, Verstappen took the lead at the first corner and built an impressive gap of over one minute during the first two hours of the race, showcasing his adaptability and skill on the challenging Nordschleife circuit. He had previously set unofficial lap records during secret tests under a pseudonym, demonstrating his rapid mastery of GT3 machinery. Verstappen expressed eagerness to compete in the 24 Hours of Nürburgring in the future, emphasizing his desire to expand beyond Formula 1. Observers, including Dutch pundit Jeroen Bleekemolen, were astonished by his ability to navigate traffic and maintain consistent lap times on such a demanding track. This victory highlights Verstappen's versatility and passion for motorsport, contrasting with the more artificial aspects of Formula 1, and marks an exciting new chapter in his racing career.